Author: Kalantarian Kevo

DID THE CANDIDATE HAVE TO BE KILLED?
Naira Hayrumyan

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 11:19:46 – 09/04/2012

The National Assembly has set up an election monitoring group to
react to violations. Violations came earlier than expected. The
parliamentary candidate in Armavir, Meruzhan Mkhoyan, was forced to
withdraw from the race under the pressure of the criminal Republican
opponent. The man was beaten up which was confirmed by both forensic
experts and OSCE/ODIHR.

This is a very good chance to show the mechanisms the police and
the parliamentary monitoring group and the CEC are going to apply to
prevent breaches. If this outrageous case is not assessed properly,
we can flush the elections and state that violence will win again.

Why did the law enforcement bodies fail to detain Republican Member
of Parliament Nahapet Gevoryan whose people, according to witnesses,
beat up the candidate? Are the police hands tied? Or is parliamentary
immunity meant to defend them from justice?

Do the Central Election Commission and the coalition or the
parliamentary group want to reveal the cases related to the RPA? Or
are they just waiting for the youths of the Armenian National Congress
or Heritage MPs to clash with the police to accuse them of resistance
to the government?

What else should happen for these bodies to react? Did they need to
kill the candidate to cause any reaction?

FILMMAKERS WANTS TO RAISE $24,000 IN 24 DAYS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FILM

hetq
12:29, April 8, 2012

The filmmakers behind a new documentary film (Back to Gurun) about the
Armenian Genocide have just launched a campaign on the fundraising
website Indiegogo.com to “Raise24K in 24Days” in April to finance
its completion.

Back to Gurun, directed by Adrineh Gregorian, was the Directors Across
Borders award-winning project at the 2011 Golden Apricot International
Film Festival and was filmed throughout Turkey this year with the
permission of the Turkish government.

Back to Gurun explores the filmmaker’s attempt to showcase how
dialogue between two individuals differs from that of their respective
countries, Armenia and Turkey, whose diplomatic ties are severed and
borders are closed. This critical film is especially timely as April
24, 2015 will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

In light of recent events and the political climate, the film explores
whether honest dialogue can exist when there is true fear to discuss
the truth. It’s an exclusive inside look into Turkish censorship
and institutional denial, a product of the Turkish Penal Code’s
Article 301, which criminalizes discussing the Genocide. Through a
conversation with journalist Hasan Cemal, grandson of the Young Turk
leader Cemal Pasha, the film uncovers a deeper level of the notion
of Turkish-Armenian dialogue and the obstacles they face.

The idea to use online fundraising sites is the latest strategy many
filmmakers are using to fund their independent films. According to
their site, “Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform where people who
want to raise money can create fundraising campaigns to tell their
story and get the word out.

With your help, they’d like to spread information about the film and
the fundraising campaign in order to bring this critical story to
the widest audiences around the world. In the first two days alone,
the film has received contributions from the UAE, Australia, Armenia,
India, Russia, Canada, the US, and Turkey.

Back to Gurun’s Indiegogo project runs through April 30 11:59PST. If
the goal isn’t met by the end of the run, then no funds change hands.

Those interested in supporting the project should visit:

In addition to funds received from the Eurasia Partnership Foundation
grant, the film has been financed by dedicated crew members donating
their time and talent. Funds raised will be used to complete the
project by this summer. The film is developed under the framework of
Directors Across Borders and is set to premiere at the Golden Apricot
Armenian International Film Festival in July 2012 and the Istanbul
International Film Festival in April 2013.

AZERBAIJANI FASCISM: TALE OF MARAGHA VILLAGE INHABITANT

news.am
April 10, 2012 | 09:00

The reporter of Armenian News-NEWS.am visited the family of Ira
Aghadjanyan, the visit was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of
the Massacre organized by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Maghara
Village of the Nagorno-Karabakh. The former inhabitant of the part
of Nagorno-Karabakh region which is currently occupied by Azerbaijan,
recalls the tragic events, because of which 12 of her relatives died,
with horror.

“After the Massacre on April 10 in Maghara, we understood that it
would be impossible to stay in the village as we survived by miracle.

My husband stayed to fight while I was trying to find a way to get
to Armenia with my 5 small children,” Ira Aghadjanyan told.

She remembers in great detail how she wandered for months with her
children, her sister and her sister’s children, her neighbor with
her children trying to get away from the war zone.

In June, 1992, she got to Armenia and settled in Abovyan city.

She recalls with tears how the Azerbaijani monsters burnt her uncle’s
wife in a club, how they beat her cousin to death and they tied her
other cousin and threw him under a train.

Even though there had been shootings before April they did not want
to leave the village and thought that they might be able to defend
themselves. However, after the massacre of April 10 they had to leave
their home which is still occupied by the enemy.

“Our village was unique by its geographical position and climate. I
miss the village. I wish I can see Maragha again. I often walk in the
village in my mind. I hope that someday I will be able to return,”
she said.

She also told that several days before the massacre the Azerbaijanis
had ceased shooting thus creating a false impression.

“Of course they shot, but rarely. They started the attack at daybreak
on April 10. Many were sleeping, no one was expecting the attack.

Armed Azerbaijanis followed by tanks entered the village. Those who
could, fled, others were brutally murdered or taken as hostages. It
is difficult to describe with words,” Ira Aghadjanyan told with tears
in her eyes.

On the day of the attack, Ira was in the nearby village and saw how
Maragha was being destroyed.

Serzh Sargsyan visits Austrian hospital in Gyumri

15:16 – 07.04.12

As part of his tour to the Shirak region, President Serzh Sargsyan
visited an Austrian hospital in the second largest city of Gyumri.

The president gave flowers to women to congratulate on the Maternity
and Beauty Day.

Our correspondent reported from Gyumri the hospital’s new building,
which is now under construction, has been equipped with up-to-date
medical devices to make healthcare services accessible to the entire
Shirak region, as well as the population of the neighboring areas,
including Javakhk.

According to Gurgen Dumanysn, the head of the Healthcare Ministry’s
Programs Implementation Department, the new building will be completed
in May.

The construction is carried out under the funding of the World Bank.

Tert.am

APA, Azerbaijan
April 6 2012

Elkhan Suleymanov to address leadership of Euronest PA and European
Parliament on Armenian delegation’s preconceived opinions

[ 06 Apr 2012 17:06 ]

Baku – APA. Head of Azerbaijani delegation to Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly Elkhan Suleymanov will address the leadership of Euronest PA
and European Parliament because of preconceived opinions expressed by
members of Armenian delegation in various newspapers about the Baku
session.

APA reports that Elkhan Suleymanov commented on several opinions
sounded by Armenian delegation in a press conference in Yerevan after
returning from the Baku session: `I was surprised at `information’
given by Mr. Hovhannisyan as if our MPs apologized to Armenian MPs for
the speech of Azerbaijani President. I should say that it is not the
only nonobjective opinion sounded in the press conference in Yerevan’.

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
April 6 2012

Matthew Bryza expects breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh talks

Matthew Bryza, the former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan and former
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, expects a breakthrough in the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said at a special
meeting marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties with
Azerbaijan.

The US diplomat said that he misses Azerbaijan and is glad to visit it
again and spend the Easter vacation there. He noted that President
Barack Obama will appoint the new ambassador.

Obama appointed US Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza as the
Ambassador to Azerbaijan on December 29th 2010, bypassing the Senate’s
disapproval of the diplomat under pressure from Senators Barbara Boxer
and Robert Menendez.

The Senate refused to approve Bryza in late December, so the official
concluded his mission in Azerbaijan and returned home. Bryza is
currently the Director of the International Center for Defense Studies
of Estonia.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 8 2012

Uncertainty over Israeli presence on Azerbaijani airbases lingers

8 April 2012 / LAMIYA ADILGIZI, Ä°STANBUL

Information has surfaced that Israel has access to Azerbaijani
airbases, a claim Azerbaijan vehemently denied on March 29.
Access to these airbases would make it easier for Israel to strike
the Islamic Republic of Iran, which many say is seeking to develop
nuclear technology. According to a report published by Foreign Policy
on March 29, Israel has gained access to airbases in southern
Azerbaijan, bordering Iran.

Reacting to the news published in FP, Azerbaijan denied the
allegations, calling them untrue. In an interview with AFP,
Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense spokesman Teymur Abdullayev said the
claims seek to `damage relations between Azerbaijan and Iran,’ adding
that `there will be no actions against Iran ¦ from the territory of
Azerbaijan.’

In an interview with Sunday’s Zaman, Rovshan Ibrahimov, the head of
department of foreign policy analysis of the Baku-based Strategic
Research Center, operating under the Presidency of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, called the article, written by FP’s Mark Perry,
irresponsible and based on falsehoods and an incomplete analysis.

`Israel is interested in dragging the US into a long-awaited war with
Iran,’ said Ibrahimov. `The target is to have Azerbaijan play an
active role in any possible war in the region.’ Ibrahimov reiterated
the official stance of Azerbaijan, stating that the country will be
neither a political nor a military platform for any third country
against its neighbor, Iran.

Azerbaijan regularly states that it will maintain its neutrality if
any conflict erupts in the region, referring to the probable conflict
in the region between its strategic partner, Israel, and Iran.
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s
stance during his official visit to the Iranian capital, where the
senior Azerbaijani official publicly rejected any possible use of
Azerbaijani soil for a strike against Iran. `The Republic of
Azerbaijan, as has always been the case in the past, will never permit
any country to use its land or air against the Islamic Republic of
Iran, which we consider our brother and a friendly country,’ Abiyev
said during a meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in
Tehran.

Talking to Sunday’s Zaman, Benedetta Berti, associate fellow at the
Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), says
the main issue is not Azerbaijan giving permission for the use of its
airfields to strike Iran or whether there will be any attack against
Iran, but whether the US will give its OK to the military strike.

`The recent leaks regarding Azerbaijan’s airfields point to the fact
that Israel could have found a way to make its military operation
against Iran easier,’ says Berti, adding that the ultimate decision to
go to war is not linked to tactical or logistical issues, but to
political will.

Berti believes Israel will act even if Washington stands opposed to
the operation. `It will depend on the Israeli assessment of the threat
and on the role played by the US,’ she says.

Jonathan Levack, a program officer with the foreign policy program of
the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), said in an
interview with Sunday’s Zaman that the Israeli-Azerbaijani alliance in
the region can theoretically increase the risk of an Israeli strike on
Iran. However, he thinks it would reduce some of the operational
challenges Israel might face. Assessing Azerbaijan’s assistance to any
Israeli strikes on Iran, Levack says the risk of a strike on Iran is
speculation at this stage. `The most important factors governing a
potential Israeli strike against Iran are the Israelis’ perception of
security, or more to the point insecurity, the current US
administration’s ability to persuade Tel Aviv that military action is
unwise and the US presidential election,’ he says.

Israeli airfields in Azerbaijan may affect Turkish-Azerbaijani relations

Turkey and Azerbaijan enjoy common cultural, linguistic and ethnic
ties with a close and cordial relationship based on a strategic
alliance. They are considered `brotherly countries’ due to this ethnic
kinship. Both countries enjoy good economic and political cooperation
based on blossoming bilateral relations.

Baku is developing its relations with Israel based on a bilateral
military deal signed in February which supplies $1.6 billion in arms,
including anti-aircraft and missile defense systems, from Israel to
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is in fact at war with its neighbor Armenia
over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan,
and seven adjacent territories that were occupied by Armenia in
1992-1994, when Armenia and Azerbaijan were engaged in a full-fledged
armed conflict. Turkey came to Azerbaijan’s defense by closing its
border with Armenia in a symbolic show of support.

Azerbaijan has so far been very careful in this respect, trying to
keep good and balanced relations with both Turkey and Israel.

However, Berti thinks that the recent rumors regarding Israel’s access
to airfields and the disclosure of the arms deal may upset this
balance. `Turkey is not pleased about these developments, especially
as the country has an interest in defusing the potential of a war
against Iran,’ says Berti. However, the expert is skeptical whether
there is going to be a short-term crisis in the region, adding that
Turkey is closely watching what happens in Azerbaijan. `The prospect
of an Israeli attack on Iran from Azerbaijani airfields would make the
relations between the two countries very tense,’ claimed Berti.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
April 6 2012

Historic graveyards returned to non-Muslim communities

6 April 2012 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, Ä°STANBUL

Six historic graveyards were returned to Ä°stanbul’s Jewish, Greek and
Armenian communities on Thursday, following a decision by a government
board that regulates the practices of the country’s non-Muslim
communities.

The decision of the Directorate General for Foundations (VGM) to
restore the cemeteries to their respective minority communities is the
first ruling on a February application by 19 non-Muslim foundations
for the return of 57 historic properties. In September, the government
authorized the return of properties seized from non-Muslim religious
communities in decades past.

Thursday’s VGM ruling saw the return of two cemeteries to the BeyoÄ?lu
Yüksek Kaldırım Ashkenazi Jewish Synagogue Foundation, as well as the
repatriation of cemeteries belonging to the BeyoÄ?lu Greek Orthodox
Churches and Schools Foundation, the Balat Surp HreÅ?tegabet Armenian
Church and School Foundation, the Kadıköy Hemdat Israel Synagogue
Foundation and the Kuzguncuk Beit Yaakov Ashkenazi Synagogue
Foundation.

Laki Vingas, the representative of non-Muslim foundations at the VGM,
told the Radikal daily on Thursday that the decision is a sign that
the minority property law passed in September is being acted upon by
the government. This week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told
the US Congress that she was encouraged by the `concrete steps ¦
Turkey has taken over the past year to return properties to religious
communities.’ Turkey’s mostly Muslim population of nearly 75 million
includes roughly 65,000 Armenian Orthodox Christians, 20,000 Jews,
15,000 Assyrians and about 3,500 Greek Orthodox Christians. While
Armenian groups have 52 foundations and Jewish groups 17, Greeks have
75. Some of the properties that were seized from those foundations
include schools and cemeteries.

Andover Townsman
April 5 2012

Memorial dance event remembers Armenians lost, honors survivors
By Tom Vartabedian

A memorial dance extravaganza by the Sayat Nova Dance Ensemble of
Greater Boston will highlight the 97th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide April 15 in Merrimack Valley.

The event will take place at 3 p.m. in North Andover High School,
sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of
Merrimack Valley. More than 350 are expected to attend this “musical
tribute to the martyrs.”

The observance also will honor three remaining survivors in the
region: Ojen Fantazian, Thomas Magarian and Nellie Nazarian.

“The Armenian Genocide is an important fabric of world history and
cannot be forgotten,” said Sossy Jeknavorian, committee chairman. “We
owe it to these survivors as well as 1.5 million martyrs who perished
under the Ottoman Turkish yoke during the years surrounding World War
1. Recognition and reparations continue to remain steadfast with
Armenians throughout the world.”

The Sayat Nova ensemble contains more than 80 members including
dancers, stage crew and other volunteers. It is into its 26th year
under founder and director Apo Ashjian.

Clad with colorful costumes, the group has performed extensively
throughout the United States and Canada, making two trips to Armenia,
in 1995 and 2006.

“As part of a rich culture, Armenian folk dancing is a reflection of
the life and legacy of the Armenian people,” said Ashjian. “Our
company is a symbol of pride and achievement for the Armenian people
and it’s our privilege to showcase this heritage in Merrimack Valley.
Our mission is to elevate multicultural awareness within all ethnic
communities worldwide.”

The main speaker will be Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, a
former state representative from Waltham active in promoting genocide
awareness throughout the state.

The group will honor members of the Armenian Heritage Park project
which is currently finishing a $6 million memorial complex at Boston’s
Rose Kennedy Greenway by Faneuil Hall.

The program is centered upon the theme, “Our Day to Remember.”

A joint memorial service will open the program, conducted by area
clergy. Complementing the service will be hymns by a combined
liturgical choir from the community under the direction of Paul
Ketchoyian, accompanied by Arsen Russian. Children from various Sunday
Schools throughout the region took part in an essay contest on
genocide. Winners will be announced that afternoon and share in $350
worth of prize money. A reception will follow in the school cafeteria.
The public is invited.

Since the committee’s inception in 1994, net proceeds totaling more
than $50,000 have gone toward assisting worthy charities in Armenia.

The anniversary is being planned by individuals from various churches
and organizations, surrounding the catchphrase, “Remembrance, Renewal,
Resolve – We Shall Survive.”

Communities in Greater Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell will commemorate
the genocide throughout the week of April 22-28 through proclamation
signings, meetings and flag-raising ceremonies with their respective
city legislators.

Interfax, Russia
April 5 2012

Azerbaijan will not object if Russia decides to build radar station in
Armenia – official

BAKU. April 5

Azerbaijan will not object if Russia decides to build a radar station
in Armenia to operate it instead of that in Azerbaijan’s Gabala, which
it will lease at least until the end of 2012, an Azeri presidential
official said.

“We do not have anything against this. Naturally, why could the
Armenian outpost not be a radar post at the same time?” Azeri
presidential spokesperson Ali Hasanov told journalists on Wednesday.

It was reported earlier that Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
had said in an interview with Kommersant that, if Azerbaijan and
Russia fail to reach a compromise on extending the lease of the Gabala
radar station, Armenia could allow Russia to build such a radar
station on its own territory.

“If Russia needs to build such a station on Armenian territory, we
will not object to this,” Hasanov said.

Hasanov pointed out that the Gabala radar station belongs to
Azerbaijan. “We decide whom to lease it out to, on what conditions and
for how long, proceeding from the state’s interests. We also take into
account its value, the political situation, and its influence on
relations with the neighboring countries,” he said.
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